Manipur: Four, including 8-year old killed by militants in Kangpokpi

In a shocking incident, four villages, including an 8-year old, were killed and two injured, including a 2-year old, after suspected militants opened fire on a group of people attending a condolence service at the B Gamnom village in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur on Tuesday.

According to sources, the villagers gathered on Tuesday afternoon at B. Gamnom ground for the condolence meeting of four deceased cadres of Kuki National Liberation Army (KNLA), who were slain on Sunday by security forces in Hingojang, an area close to B Gamnom village. During the meeting, the suspected militants fired upon the people gathered.

In the firing, two villagers, including the village chief of MP Khullen, died on the spot. Later, police also recovered two more bodies in the vicinity of the village with bullet injuries. A two-year-old boy was among the injured.

The deceased were identified as Paolal Kipgen, 45, son of Kamkhothang Kipgen MP Khullen, Yamkholam Khongsai, 58, son of (L) Langthang Khongsai of B Gamnom, Lalminthang Kipgen, 8, son of Thangneo Kipgen of B Gamnom. The identity of the fourth victim who was recovered from Bongbal Khullen is yet to be ascertained. Paolal is the village of chief of MP Khullen.

The injured have been identified as Lunjamang Kipgen, 17, son of Hemlal Kipgen and Lalmingun Kipgen, 2, son of Lunminthang of B Gamnom.

A police contingent comprising ADGP Ashutosh Sinha, IGP K. Jayenta, DIG Themthing Ngasangva, SP Imphal East N Herojit rushed to the spot.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has vehemently condemned the Gamnom village firing and killing.

The Chief Minister, in a statement released late yesterday, termed such killing an act of terrorism.

“My government cannot tolerate such an act of challenging the life of the peace-loving people of the state. Violence has no place in democracy. I condemn the excessive action of the terrorist in the strongest terms,” the CM said while assuring that the government would protect every villager who has fled from there due to the incident.

Top police officers have been instructed to take up necessary measures to ensure the safety of the people. Top officials of the Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur police have been instructed to take up stringent action against the perpetrators involved in the incident.